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- Public Domain
Episodes of the old-time radio musical program "The Railroad Hour". This series aired condensed versions of musicals and operettas. Gordon MacRae starred with guests like Dorothy Kirsten, Dorothy Warenskjold, Lucille Norman, and Jane Powell.
Reviews
Reviewer:
RonSprunger
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November 24, 2017
Subject: Delightful!
Subject: Delightful!
In the late forties and early fifties, our family would gather around the radio every Monday (8:30 in Southern California if I remember correctly) for the Railroad Hour. I still remember many of the episodes. What a pleasure to hear them again, and now to share them with my granddaughter. Thanks for making these available.
Reviewer:
AncientAxim
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April 20, 2017
Subject: How COOL and useful too
Subject: How COOL and useful too
Want to watch a play, but can't? don't have the time? Try these. These are mini-operettas (Gilbert & Sullivan musicals are operettas) or if you just want to hear those old numbers again. Cool because they are in bite -size chunks. PS the reviewer below- a "Max Reiner" is one of those people you would want to know personally (I don't) as he claims to have listened to 1930s broadcasts when they were first aired. I wish I were alive during his early years. To be exposed to this kind of media would have been a magical era. Instead we can "live it" in our minds with these uploads. What a wonderful thing we have here.
Reviewer:
Runcible
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January 28, 2015
Subject: Great shows
Subject: Great shows
I'm a big fan of this program. Gordon MacRae's voice is rich and powerful and these condensed musicals and operettas are very enjoyable. A few of the episodes have poor sound quality but most are fine listening.
Reviewer:
Max Reiner
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October 1, 2012
Subject: Carousel Was Superb!
Subject: Carousel Was Superb!
Wow! RR Hour did Carousel in half an hour. Gordon MacRae sand that role in the movie. Sound was perfect. I recall hearing this show when it was broadcast on the weekend. So now onto more RR Hour. Thanks Archive! You get me through the night.
Reviewer:
rbehs
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March 18, 2011
Subject: Apple Blossoms
Subject: Apple Blossoms
The Apple Blossoms broadcast from 4/18/49 is not a complete file. It cuts out in the middle of one of Jeanette MacDonald's songs.
Reviewer:
Bob Stern
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January 11, 2009
Subject: Whole Directory Zip File
Subject: Whole Directory Zip File
Unfortunately, the zip file containing the whole directory is damaged and won't unzip. Shame too - because these are unusually great light opera programs. There are a lot of files to download individually but if you're a fan of this music and the historic artists, it's worth it!
Reviewer:
Razzilla
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January 9, 2008
Subject: Error found in set
Subject: Error found in set
http://www.archive.org/download/TheRailroadHour/RH_49-01-24_ep017-Blossom_Time.mp3 is not from the Railroad Hour at all...but an undated show from the series Showtime...
Reviewer:
janepowellfanclub
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December 22, 2007
Subject: Top quality entertainment
Subject: Top quality entertainment
I have to say that the Railroad Hour is top quality entertainment. I'm particularly impressed by the standard of each presentation. As good as any musical. Lots of songs, great characterization and each show is great to listen to time and time again. My favourite is 'Music in the air' with Jane Powell and Gordon MacRea. The storyline has exactly the right mix of happiness, sadness, and of course romance! The sound quality is superb. I can't praise these fantastic shows enough.
